President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja said the military will be
re-professionalized and re-equipped to meet the growing exigencies of
security in the country, assuring Nigerians that the promise of ending
terrorism would be realised.
“We promise to re-professionalise and re-equip the Armed Forces and
security agencies to effectively discharge their duties to our nation,”
the President said at the commissioning of two Nigeria Air Force Agusta
109 Power Helicopters and Mi-17 E Helicopters at the Eagle Square.
President Buhari said: “professionalism, capacity building and
adequately equipping the Armed Forces and other security agencies are a
major policy thrust of the Administration.”
The President urged the Nigeria Air force to ensure discipline in their
operations, and a strong maintenance culture that will enable the nation
derive maximum benefits from the newly acquired helicopters.
“I have no doubt that the deployment of these Agusta 109P gunships and
the M-17IE helicopter would add impetus to the combat efficiency of the
Air Force in combating our contemporary security challenges,” he added.
President Buhari noted that two earlier commissioned Agusta 109 Power
helicopter gunships, which were procured from Italy over a year ago, had
made impact on the war against terrorism.
President Buhari commended the support of the Governments of Italy and
the Russian Federation, and efforts of the Italian and Russian
Ambassador to Nigeria, at sustaining the strategic partnership which
facilitated this acquisition.
“I want to, once again, salute the resolve of our Armed Forces and the
invaluable contributions of all security agencies for their efforts
towards the decimation of Boko Haram.
“Your contributions in internal security, peace keeping and humanitarian
operations in places like The Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Mozambique,
Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Guinea Bissau and Cameroon have not only
been a source of pride to us as a nation, but has also projected us as a
reliable regional power.,” he said.
According to him, “I promised to put an end to Boko Haram insurgency,
kidnapping and other forms of criminalities that have bedeviled our
country during my inaugural speech as President.
“You will all agree with me that the successes we have achieved so far
have restored our pride and honour the world over. Consequently, I want
to sincerely thank Nigerians for believing in our government inspite
occasional outrages, coming together as a nation, irrespective of
political, religious and ethnic affiliations, in our strive to bring
this menace to an end.”
President Buhari appreciated Nigerians for their support of the military
and other security agencies against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping,
adding that the security challenges would be collectively won.
In his remarks, the Minister of Defence, Bashir Salihi Magashi, said the
purchase of the helicopters further demonstrate the administration’s
commitment to bringing the security challenges in the country under
control.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the visionary
approval to purchase more aircraft for the Air force since 2015 had
impacted positively on the fight against terrorism and other crimes.
“Your Excellency’s government has so far procured and inducted 22
aircraft. And the service is expecting 17 additional platforms including
12 x Super Tulcanos from the United States.” He said.